CORONATION Street's Leanne Battersby is set to become the victim of abuse this summer.

The ITV soap is set to feature a dark storyline that will tackle the issue of parent-child domestic abuse.

Leanne, played by Jane Danson, will become the victim of several violent outbursts at the hands of her stepson Simon Barlow, played by Alex Bain.

Simon has been in Leanne's care since she split from his troubled dad Peter Barlow, who left Weatherfield last year. Their relationship has been strained in recent times, and the youngster is set to take a violent turn in the upcoming months.

Speaking about his plans for the Manchester-based drama, producer Stuart Blackburn announced on ITV's This Morning : "This summer is going to see Coronation Street at its classic best.

"It's going to be a mixture of romance, of comedy and of drama, and out of that drama Leanne Battersby is going to find herself at the centre of a domestic abuse story.

"But this is a story with a twist... The perpetrator is Leanne's 12-year-old step-son Simon."

Leanne Barlow and Simon Barlow (Image: ITV)

Although no further details of the chilling storyline have been revealed as of yet, viewers will be left wondering what will lead Simon to treat his step-mother so badly.

The character was previously a victim of abuse himself, having been bullied by schoolgirls Faye Windass (Ellie Leach) and Grace Piper (Ella-Grace Gregoire).